Preliminary report on physical, chemical and mineralogical composition and health implications of ash from the Mount St. Helens eruption of May 18, 1980
On May 18, 1980 at 8:32 AM Pacific Daylight Time, a major eruption of ash and pyroclastics occurred from the Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington State. These and subsequent eruptions resulted in deposition of volcanic ash on large areas of the state of Washington and neighboring states. Beginning the day of the eruption and continuing through the following week, samples of the ash were collected for analysis by Battelle staff from various parts of eastern Washington and Montana. Specifically, samples were obtained from Richland, Yakima, Ahtanum, Tieton Ranger Station, Pullman, Rosalia, Moses Lake, Spokane, Ellensburg, Washington and Missoula, Montana. These materials were subjected to a variety of analyses including chemical, mineralogical and physical characterization and an in vitro biological assay to determine the effects of the ash on the pulmonary macrophage. This test gives an indication of the potential of the ash to cause respiratory diseases such as silicosis. Preliminary results of these various analyses are described.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5375410
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-8674; TRN: 80-011511
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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58 GEOSCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASHES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
MINERALOGY
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
PARTICLE SIZE
MACROPHAGES
CELL KILLING
WASHINGTON
VOLCANOES
ERUPTION
LUNGS
ANIMAL CELLS
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PHAGOCYTES
RADIOACTIVITY
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SIZE
SOMATIC CELLS
USA
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
580202 - Geophysics- Volcanology- (1980-1989)
560305 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)